But there still was enough in the 19-song show, which lasted just short of 80 minutes, to make it very good, with some highlights that hit the heights of the group’s previous shows.

The biggest fault was inconsistency: After the group started with oomph on “Sweetest Lie,” singer Johnny Rzeznik’s voice faulted slightly on “Slide,” and there apparently were sound issues, as well – Rzeznik exchanged acoustic guitars mid-song.

After a draggy “Here Is Gone,” bassist Robbbie Takac sang nice versions of the more punky “Smash” and “January Friend” – the latter of which found his voice croak-y, but emphatic. And good.

Rzeznik, left, and bassist Robbie Takac

But then the start to “Big Machine” was almost unrecognizable, even if it did have lots of energy.

And after an especially good “Naked” had a strong dynamic and nice rock vibe – including Rzeznik’s first lead guitar solo; he had left earlier leads up to a backing guitarist – several of the band’s biggest hits failed to soar the way they should.

“Name” was good, ending with Rzeznik alone on acoustic guitar, and “Black Balloon” was still a lovely, meaningful song, even if not nearly as buoyant – played more as a straight-forward rocker. “Home” also didn’t soar as much, though it still worked.

None of that is meant to be strong criticism. Those all are good songs and even diminished performances were good. It just seemed as if they could have been better.

Takac

But the concert seemed to suddenly change in The Goos’ favor when Takac sang “Now I Hear” from the group’s most recent disc, “Something for the Rest of Us.” Takac’s more punky songs often are at odds with the band’s big ballads, but with all of the songs having a more rock take, it fit right in.

And then Rzeznik took a solo turn, alone and playing acoustic on “Can’t Let Go.” He introduced it by saying, “It might work and it might not. We’ll see.” But perhaps that spontaneity was what was needed: It was Rzeznik’s best singing to that point, and his guitar-playing was elevated, as well.

After that combination of songs, the concert seemed to click. “Let Love In” also didn’t soar as much, but still was good enough to have the crowd clapping along. Rzeznik seemed to sense a lesser song like “Better Days” needed extra effort, and – the singer far out in front in which spotlights -- his voice finally soared.

“This is our song tonight!” Rzeznik told the crowd.

“Broadway” also was nearer to what it should be, with the backup keyboard player coming out to play a sax solo. When the crowd finished the chorus’ line “waiting for his turn to die,” Rzeznik let loose with a spontaneous “yeah!”

Rzeznik

But perhaps the highlight of the show was when, for the main set’s closing song, The Goo Goo Dolls brought out George Dennehy, an 18-year-old who, born without arms and orphaned in Romania, became an Internet sensation with a video of him playing The Goos’ “Iris” with his feet.

Dennehy joined the group on that song, playing guitar and singing a verse. While it maintained its boiling tension, it also was a celebration, and the crowd joined in on the chorus before giving Dennehy and The Goos a standing ovation. And the teen walked off with Rzeznik.

The group returned for a good, more uplifting “Give a Little Bit,” but the most uplifting moment had passed.

Dennehy earlier played two songs: Arash’s “Broken Angel” alone on guitar and Pink’s “Perfect” with a drummer. He said the latter has “meant a lot to me in the past two years. It doesn’t matter who you are or where you’ve been – you’re special.”

“I’m incredibly blessed,” he told the crowd after performing. “This is beyond anything I ever imagined.”

This article is a bunch of crap. This show was awesome and you have to give a lot of credit to a group whose been together for so long.

Posted By: GGDFAN | Aug 8, 2012 9:29:51 AM

I don't know why we even need a review of shows at Musikfest. If you like the group playing you go, if you don't, then you don't go...I can care less what some so-called reviewer thinks...your taste and my taste are NOT the same.

Posted By: Msilfies | Aug 8, 2012 12:43:17 PM

There are those who for various reasons didn't get to make the concerts. I don't always agree with the viewpoints of the reviewer. Nonetheless, being able to get info post-concert is appreciated.

Posted By: music_fan | Aug 8, 2012 4:08:55 PM

I totally enjoyed the concert. I was in Row 3 Center Stage and thought the band did an awesome job. With mixed reviews, I think that everyone has a right to their own opinion. They could have played some harder songs and left out some acoustic songs, but overall the energy was impressive and the songs sounded great. Hope they come back to Bethlehem again. My favorite band!

Posted By: Shelly Dieter | Aug 8, 2012 9:13:10 PM

what an awful review....I had goosebumps the entire time. It was such a well put together show

Posted By: miranda | Aug 9, 2012 11:07:47 AM

The Goo Goo Dolls are not birds, so they don't need to 'soar.' They preformed extremely well. The issue in Slide was a broken string, the sound was fine. I had a great time and everyone else should have too!

Posted By: Mary | Aug 9, 2012 5:07:48 PM

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JOHN J. MOSER has been around long enough to have seen the original Ramones in a small club in New Jersey, U2 from the fourth row of a theater and Bob Dylan's born-again tours. But he also has the number for All-American Rejects' Nick Wheeler on his cell phone, wrote the first story ever done on Jack's Mannequin and hung out in Wiz Khalifa's hotel room.

OTHER CONTRIBUTORS

JODI DUCKETT: As The Morning Call's assistant features editor responsible for entertainment, she spends a lot of time surveying the music landscape and sizing up the Valley's festivals and club scene. She's no expert, but enjoys it all — especially artists who resonated in her younger years, such as Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, Tracy Chapman, Santana and Joni Mitchell.

KATHY LAUER-WILLIAMS enjoys all types of music, from roots rock and folk to classical and opera. Music has been a constant backdrop to her life since she first sat on the steps listening to her mother’s Broadway LPs when she was 2. Since becoming a mother herself, she has become well-versed on the growing genre of kindie rock and, with her son in tow, can boast she has seen a majority of the current kid’s performers from Dan Zanes to They Might Be Giants.

STEPHANIE SIGAFOOS: A Jersey native raised in Northeast PA, she was reared in a house littered with 8-tracks, 45s and cassette tapes of The Beatles, Elvis, Meatloaf and Billy Joel. She also grew up on the sounds of Reba McEntire, Garth Brooks and Tim McGraw and can be found traversing the countryside in search of the sounds of a steel guitar. A fan of today's 'new country,' she digs mainstream/country-pop crossovers like Lady Antebellum and Sugarland and other artists that illustrate the genre's diversity.